(NaturalNews) Soaring gas prices and dwindling fossil fuel supplies have increased interest in alternatives such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and while that technology has had many hurdles, German automaker BMW is now making progress with a test fleet of hydrogen driven vehicles.
As early as next March, the a 100-vehicle fleet of the BMW Hydrogen 7 is set to be delivered to a group of elite customers including politicians, celebrities, star athletes and industry leaders, in order to test the luxury vehicles in real world conditions. Names already being thrown around include Madonna, Al Gore, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dr. David Suzuki.
According to BMW spokespersons, hydrogen is the fuel of the future because it is the most common element in the universe, and therefore easily obtained, and is environmentally clean. Hydrogen-fueled vehicles usually emit nothing more than water vapor. The Hydrogen 7 is not fuel cell driven, but BMW's scientists project such technology could be incorporated into future generations of the vehicle, allowing it to power additional vehicle features such as air conditioning.
"We have now achieved an important milestone on our way to sustainable mobility," said Dr. Klaus Schearer of BMW's Traffic and Environment Board, at last week's launch of the vehicle in Berlin. "It is no secret in saying that the world's fossil energy supply is coming to an end.
"The future of mobility concerns us all if we are to sustain our standard of living in the future," he added.
The vehicle's six-liter, V12 hydrogen engine has a range of roughly 124 miles on its 17.6 pound tank of liquid hydrogen, but the engine will also be able to run on gasoline with the push of a button, giving it an additional range of about 310 miles. BMW admits that hydrogen is prone to "boiling off" over time, causing some loss in fuel efficiency, but notes that such a process is only likely to start 17 hours after refueling.
The safety of the hydrogen tank was also rigorously tested, as the vehicle was crash tested, hit with iron bars, set aflame and even shot at without incident.
Spokespersons at the launch would not announce the price of the Hydrogen 7, but experts estimate the vehicle has a material cost of more than $380,000 U.S. dollars but could be worth as much as $1.5 million if the cost of research is included. The spokespersons did reveal that the celebrity clean energy "pioneers" would be assigned a personal assistant for the car as well as mobile fueling stations and a team of technicians during the six-month lease.
"We have no price on the car," said BMW hydrogen technology researcher Dr. Frank Ochmann. "We regard this as an offer to society to show society where we stand on clean energy."
###
Related Articles
• The Top Ten Technologies: #2 Hydrogen Economy Enablers
• The hydrogen economy is closer than you think; key technologies accelerate progress
• US auto maker demonstrates uncanny vision about fuel cell cars and the hydrogen economy
• Scientists find way to safely and cheaply store hydrogen fuel
• Breakthrough on-demand hydrogen fuel generator may make hydrogen cars safe and practical
 |
Popular Topics:
hydrogen, hydrogen vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury |
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/021055.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|